New Online Courses Available:

According to recent threat analyses, the potential use of a Radiation Dispersal Device (RDD) remains the most likely exposure to weapons of mass destruction which American citizens are likely to experience.  Following along on the radiation risk management axiom that "Every high dose event is someone else's low dose event," recent energy initiatives fostering expansion of nuclear power production in the US as well as recent evolutions in international weapons development and their emerging strategic implications contribute to the conclusion that the ability of communities, regions, and states to react effectively to the challenges of low dose radiation exposure have become a necessary and inescapable element in the mandatory portfolio of capabilities of which today and tomorrow's communities must dispose.  This course will address models of response, requirements for effective intervention, planning and preparation, personnel roles, training and command & control.  Ideally this course provides the didactic introduction to a broader awareness of community needs and leads to workshops, drills and exercises in achieving community capability while reinforcing state and regional preparation for planning and support.

The requirements for a vastly expanded supply of energy worldwide combined with nuclear proliferation and a more aggressive international posture for the development, deployment and potential use of nuclear weapons either for strategic or tactical purposes has created an environment for public health professionals in the 21st century thoroughly different than that which has ever existed in the course of human scientific and political evolution.  In due course, recent energy initiatives fostering expansion of nuclear power production in the US as well as recent evolutions in international weapons development and their emerging strategic implications contribute to the conclusion that the ability of communities, regions and states to react effectively to the challenges of high dose radiation exposure have become a necessary and inescapable element in the mandatory portfolio of capabilities of which today and tomorrow's communities must dispose.  This course will address models of response, requirements for effective intervention, planning and preparation, personnel roles, training and command & control.  Ideally this course provides the didactic introduction to a broader awareness of community needs and leads to workshops, drills and exercises in achieving community capability while reinforcing state and regional preparation for planning and support.

The course discusses the nature of qualitative decision making and explains how the complexity of decisions often overwhelms our cognitive capabilities.  To deal with dynamic complexity, decision makers need to adopt a structured decision making process that aids in identifying alternative course of action and the major factors which are influencing the decision.  The course provides and discusses a method for structuring each step in the decision making process and provides examples of using the process.

In 1935, Title V of the Social Security Act established a federal-state partnership to address the needs of the maternal and child health population.  Over the years, though changes have occurred, Title V remains the oldest federal program dedicated to the health of all mothers and children.  Strong leadership and advocacy skills are critical to the program's success.  Program faculty discussed national trends in maternal and child health, national leadership for MCH, current challenges and opportunities, and future directions.  NOTE:  This course was originally presented as a satellite broadcast.

Program faculty broadly examined the role of government in implementing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's community social distancing standards for mitigating pandemic influenza.  It specifically discussed the practical limitations of enforcing social distancing and the authority and legal framework upon which enforcement may be based.  The Alabama response to H1N1 and resources available to assist communities in healthcare planning efforts were also discussed.  NOTE:  This course was originally presented as a satellite broadcast.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill and residual oil continues to require follow-up by public health professionals.  Conflicting reports from various scientific groups and governmental agencies contribute to a lingering concern about the effects of the oil.  For instance, the Food and Drug Administration and state health agencies have conducted extensive monitoring, however, many consumers are still uncertain about the safety of Gulf seafood.  Fear from possible long-term effects of the oil spill and the economic impact on fishermen and the tourist industry continues to impact the Gulf Coast increasing stress and contributing to mental health issues.  NOTE:  This course was originally presented as a satellite broadcast.

Other Training Opportunities:

The South Central Preparedness & Emergency Response Learning Center and Alabama Department of Public Health are hosting a workshop during this conference entitled:  Pediatric Trauma & Disaster Course.  You must register for the conference to attend this workshop.  For more information regarding this course click here.

We Want to Hear From You

Looking for more training on a specific topic in public health?  Need additional training on a current public health hot topic?  We want to help you address these needs.  Please email us and let us know about your current training needs/interests/issues.  We will evaluate our current trainings to see if we have something that can address your area of interest.  If we don't have the resources already available, we will look into the possibility of developing those resources for you.  Please send us an email at trainingnow@tulane.edu and let us see if we can be of help.  Thank you.

Master of Public Health (MPH) in Disaster Management

Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Department of Environmental Health Sciences

A new program in Disaster Management is being offered by Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Department of Environmental Health Sciences.  This program is offered both on campus and by distance learning through the Center for Applied Environmental Public Health (CAEPH).  Students may obtain either a graduate certificate or the full MPH in disaster management.  The Tulane CAEPH distance learning programs are geared to mid career professionals.  CAEPH uses state-of-the-art synchronous distance learning technologies to enhance learning and networking. 

For more information on the MPH program, please visit:

http://dl.caeph.tulane.edu or send an email to DLinfo@tulane.edu or call 1-800-862-2122.

Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Preparedness Management and Policy

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Department of Health Care Organization & Policy

This specialized degree covers all hazards preparedness topics including, event typologies, response organization, leadership and management, hazard and risk assessment policy development and evaluation and risk communication.

Public Health Preparedness Management and Policy Learning Objectives

• Describe the economic, legal, organization, and political underpinnings of the US health system with regard to preparedness

• Apply principles of management, finance, accounting and strategic planning in health care organizations with regard to preparedness; and

• Apply basic planning and management skills as well as risk assessment policy development and evaluation and risk communication necessary with regard to preparedness

For more information on the MPH degree, please visit:

https://www.soph.uab.edu/node/1213

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Public Health Management

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Department of Health Care Organization & Policy

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program in Public Health Management prepares current and future public health leaders and research faculty to apply critical thinking and rigorous research methods to complex problems facing public health practitioners and policy makers.  The program focuses on public health management, organization, and leadership issues and allows students to specialize in preparedness management and policy or any of the other public health disciplines: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, or health behavior.

For more information on the DrPH degree, please visit:

https://www.soph.uab.edu/node/1214

Preparedness Minute Videos

Preparedness Minutes are video clips describing actions to take in emergency situations, whether they are at work or at home.  Some of the videos will be reminders, others will present new information.  Ultimately these videos will help you be prepared for an emergency or disaster.  Please visit the link below to watch any of our preparedness minute videos.

Watch Videos

The Management of Epidemic Disease

Population growth, societal aging, urbanization, rapid transportation, economic interdependence, and emerging infectious disease have expanded community vulnerability far beyond what could have been imagined a few generations ago. But, an expansion of medical technology has provided an array of tools and techniques for therapeutics and public health disease management never before imagined. The instructor will examine disease as a social event in an evolving global community and discuss why applying new systems and science is critical for tomorrow’s public health professional.